CAT 2026 Exam Pattern & Syllabus: The Complete Guide
By Prachi Priya Jha 29 June 20262 min read
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The Common Admission Test (CAT) is the gateway to the IIMs and 1,000+ top B-schools in India. Before you build a study plan, you need to understand exactly how the exam is structured. Here is the complete CAT exam pattern and syllabus, explained in plain language.
CAT exam pattern at a glance
CAT is a computer-based test of 120 minutes, split into three sections with a strict 40-minute limit per section. You cannot move between sections — once 40 minutes are up, the next section opens automatically.
| Section | Full form | Questions | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| VARC | Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension | 24 | 40 min |
| DILR | Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning | 20 | 40 min |
| QA | Quantitative Aptitude | 22 | 40 min |
| Total | 66 | 120 min |
This pattern has been stable for the last several years and is expected to continue for CAT 2026. Always confirm the final pattern on the official notification (iimcat.ac.in) when it releases.